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Number 20 / Volume 29 / December 21, 2015

What does 2016 hold for Canadian science, technology and innovation (STI)? The new Liberal government has issued upbeat messaging about the importance of science but has so far been light on the specifics.

Thousands of PhD graduates will have a better shot at landing careers in academia, industry and government if a proposal for a new suite of fellowships is accepted and funded by the new federal government.

The National Research Council’s is betting that its Marine Vehicles Program (MVP) will strengthen the competitiveness of Canada’s beleaguered shipbuilding industry and its related sub-sectors. By applying technologies, design expertise and testing facilities to reduce construction costs, enhance operability and meet increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the five-year, $9.

Compute Canada is returning to its user community to help map out the future research needs for advanced research computing (HPC) between 2017 and 2020. It is asking for bold world-class proposals to shape its request for new funding in the next round of the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s Major Facilities Infrastructure competition.

Diaspora scientific communities at home and abroad: an untapped resource for diplomacy?
By Daryl Copeland

The idea of tapping into the skills and expertise resident in diaspora science communities (DSCs) in order to advance international policy goals and more effectively address global challenges is certainly an attractive proposition.

Canada has the opportunity to take a leading position in reactivating a largely neglected clause of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) enshrining the right of all people to share in scientific advancement and its benefits, says one of Canada’s preeminent research ethicists.

A new report on Canadian-European collaboration in science, technology and innovation (STI) reveals that researchers from Ontario and Quebec are most active in the European Framework Programme for Science and Technology (FP7) and also have the highest number of scientific agreements with European Union (EU) member states.

Creative Destruction Lab selects award winners

UDMN issues call for new proposals

Canada and Sweden sign Arctic cooperation deal

CATA argues against changes to stock option taxation

Number 19 / Volume 29 / December 10, 2015

If you’ve been wondering about the current state of federal S&T and options for the future, this issue’s lead story on the an expert advisory group’s report provides an illuminating window on ways to enhance government science, engineering and technology.

An expert panel charged with recommending improvements to federal science, engineering and technology has called for a new Department of Science and Technology — Science Canada — led by a minister of S&T to “provide leadership on science and technology matters”.

The Ontario government has no comprehensive plan or outcome targets for nearly $2.4 billion in business-support funding in the province, much of which goes to large companies, according to the 2015 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario (AGO).

Readers of RE$EARCH MONEY know that Canada is plagued by a low level of business expenditures on research and development. This is troubling because investment in the generation of new, knowledge-based products, processes, and services is the means by which firms create offerings that are globally competitive.

The National Research Council (NRC) is ramping up its Security Materials Technology (SMT) program with a nearly completed roadmap and extensive industry engagement. The objective is to infuse advanced manufacturing and advanced materials technologies into companies targeting the armoured vehicle (AV) and personal protective equipment (PPE) markets.

An expert panel on the impact of oil spills in aqueous environments has concluded that environmental conditions and the timeliness of response are even more critical than identifying oil type when attempting to limit their damage.

Australia is moving to implement a dramatic overhaul of its approach to science and innovation with a new agenda backed by AUD $1.1 billion in new spending. The National Innovation and Science Agenda was announced December 7 by prime minister Malcolm Turnbull as his first major policy initiative less than three months after taking office.

Alberta-Ontario innovation program enhanced

York Univ creates global health institute

People

Dr Monica Gattinger

Dr William Charnetski

Number 18 / Volume 29 / December 1, 2015

Some dubbed this year’s Canadian Science Policy Conference the most successful event in its seven-year history. With nearly 500 delegates and strong representation from the federal government, the Ottawa conference was a heady affair with renewed optimism and hope for the future pervasive in virtually every panel session and keynote address.

Evidence-based decision-making (EBDM) has emerged as one of the hottest topics in S&T circles, energizing discussion and debate at last week’s Canadian Science Policy Conference. With the enthusiasm over the Liberal government’s embrace of EBDM as a backdrop, a series of speakers and panelists convened for a full day to exploring how EBDM can effectively inform government policies and programs.

Infusing evidence-based policy-making into the federal bureaucracy is the focus of a new pilot program that will see up to 12 PhD-level researchers embedded with departmental and agency policy makers for a one-year fellowship.

Ron Freedman, CEO, Research Infosource Inc.

Reform SR&ED by adopting TRL model
By Ron Freedman

Most analysts are dismayed by Canada’s fair-to-middling performance in the international R&D sweepstakes. According to the OECD, our GERD/GDP ratio (total national spending on research as a percent of GDP) is 1.

Advocates of Canadian advanced manufacturing (AM) are pushing for a systems approach to marshal the country’s considerable assets in the face of increasing global competition. The call for collaboration stretches beyond Canada’s considerable manufacturing base to include the burgeoning services industries, which now conduct more R&D than any other sector.

A five-year research project examining opportunities created by information and communications technologies (ICT) is finding that there is resilience in urban centres with strong concentration of digital technologies, even when anchor firms fail.

The Liberal Party’s pledge to create a chief science officer (CSO) and incorporate scientific evidence into its decision-making has opened up intense speculation over the kind of science policy regime the new government will implement.

OCAD launches $60-million private-public campaign

People

Dr Eric Meslin

Dr Richard Hegele

Heather Magotiaux

Ann MacKenzie

John Maris

Dr Darren Lawless

Dr Louis Fortier

Number 17 / Volume 29 / November 16, 2015

Expect to hear more from federal policy makers as the Liberal government moves forward with crafting its science, technology and innovation (STI) policies. Mandate letters delivered to the new Cabinet ministers make it clear that openness and inclusiveness are to be hallmarks of the new administration.

The election of a new Liberal government is unleashing a tsunami of positive reaction across Canada’s S&T community as it reacts to pledges to address climate change, restore integrity to Parliament and pump new funding into clean tech and the Industrial Research Assistance Program.

A dramatic decline in R&D spending by Blackberry Ltd in 2014 was all it took to push outlays from Canada’s Top 100 Corporate R&D spenders downward for the first time since 2010. R&D expenditures by the Waterloo ON-based provider of communications products and services plummeted $537 million or 40.

The Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION) has released the summary of a confidential report highlighting its socio-economic impact on the province’s research, education and innovation (RE&I) communities.

“New Government for Canada, New Horizons for Science and Innovation Policy”
After four years, CSPC is returning to the nation’s capital to bring together scientists, entrepreneurs, policymakers, journalists, students and many others from across the country to discuss the present and future of Canadian science, technology, and innovation policy.

Dr Peter Morand, founding president & CEO, Canadian S&T Growth Fund

The entrepreneur’s dilemma: catch-22 funding
Dr Peter Morand

The fragility of early stage advanced technology companies is well documented. That luck plays a part in the ones that survive is undoubtedly true, but the chances of survival can be improved by having a management team that personifies innovation and makes the timely strategic decisions needed to accelerate the commercialization process in an increasingly competitive environment.

Stagnant tri-council funding and tight provincial budgets are having an impact on Canada’s university sector, which saw its research income drop for the first time in 14 years, according to new data released by Research Infosource Inc.

Ontario has fully implemented its province-wide network of post-secondary based incubators and accelerators and initial data suggest they are beginning to have their intended impact. Managed by the Ontario Centres of Excellence, there are 10 Campus Linked Accelerators (CLAs) and 20 On-Campus Entrepreneurs Activities (OCEA) centres situated at 42 institutions with the express purpose of incenting and supporting entrepreneurial activity.

AIAC and CARIC to develop aerospace tech roadmap

Finalta & CME launch $10-million tax credit fund

People

Dr Mohamed Ibnkahla

Dr Wendy Palen

Donna Garbutt

Steve West

Dr Uwe Schoenbeck

Number 16 / Volume 29 / November 2, 2015

Will Canada’s science, technology and innovation (STI) strategy be getting a much needed overhaul? The incoming Liberal government’s election platform didn’t have much to say about STI but that hasn’t stopped a torrent of advice from business and academia, urging the new government to get serious about the knowledge-based economy (see page1).

Paul Dufour, fellow and adjunct professor, ISSP, University of Ottawa

Finding common ground — A revitalized agenda for scientists and politicians
By Paul Dufour

There’s a sunnier disposition among Canada’s science community these days. Maybe it’s because they have read the Liberal Party platform which states: “We will value science and treat scientists with respect”.

A new export panel report on Canada’s options for implementing a low-emission energy system concludes that climate change-inducing emissions can be cut between 60% and 90% using commercially available technologies and without jeopardizing the country’s competitiveness and long-term economic growth.

An influential report by Canadian-born Sherry Coutu is having a major impact on the way the UK government supports high-tech companies, shifting emphasis from start-ups to high-growth firms commonly known as scale-ups.

Drone maker secures $60-million investment

NACO selects angel of the year

People

Dr Robin Harkness

Dr Mohamas Nasser-Eddine

Dr Elizabeth Cannon

Dr Louise Poissant

Number 15 / Volume 29 / October 10, 2015

The federal party platforms have now been released and the S&T community can be forgiven for expressing disappointment that science, technology and innovation (STI) are being afforded little prominence in the most important election in a generation.

Quebec research-intensive information and communications technology (ICT) companies have access to two new funds that will provide them with refundable R&D tax credits far sooner than previously possible and at rates comparable to traditional financing sources.

CMC Microsystems has established a new network to help public and private sector researchers leverage equipment and expertise in academic micro- and nano-fabrication laboratories across the country. The FACT Services for R&D network aims to facilitate access to more than 35 open access labs to external users by emphasizing solid management structure, skilled technical staff and clarity around intellectual property.

With the federal vote just days away, all of Canada’s four recognized national parties have released full campaign platforms with science, research and innovation being given at least lip service but never approaching status as a top priority issue.

Canada is racing to pull the country’s disparate nanotech hubs together in a unified whole to catch up with the world’s leading nanotechnology nations. NanoCanada — officially launched earlier this year and currently applying for not-for-profit status — is positioning itself to be that unifying vehicle by emphasizing industry commercialization and connections between nanotechnology hubs across Canada and the globe.

The Science Integrity Project (SIP) has released a statement of principles for the use of sound science-backed decision-making in the midst of the federal election. While its backers say the timing is coincidental, the non-partisan group hopes they will prove beneficial in stimulating public debate on the importance of using science when developing sound policy and ultimately legislation.

Encycle raises $2.85 million in start-up funding

Shopify expands footprint in Waterloo region

TD Bank expands presence in Waterloo region

People

Dr Robert Crawhall

Number 14 / Volume 29 / September 24, 2015

Party leaders have participated in two debates so far and not once has science been mentioned. Should we take that to mean that science is not a key election issue?

Well, yes and no. While the politicians may not deem science to be an issue that resonates with the public, the past three years have witnessed an unprecedented outpouring of protest against current science policies and how they are implemented at the federal level.

The federal program for bilateral industry-led R&D is being taken in-house. The Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) quietly announced in late August that the Canadian International Innovation Program (CIIP) will be launched later this fall, less than six months after the closure of International Science and Technology Partnerships Canada (ISTP Canada) (R$, February 10/15 & April 16/15).

Canadian industry will soon receive a uniform level of services and technological expertise from colleges and polytechnics with the creation of a new Technology Access Centres Network (TN) of 24 colleges and polytechnics across the country.

Canada’s main political parties are rolling out a series of science and technology pledges even though their policy platforms have yet to be released. From clean tech and space (Liberals) to space and automotive (New Democrats) and manufacturing and cancer research (Conservatives), the announcements are an indication that S&T is finding space on party election platforms as part of larger efforts to grow and diversify the economy.

Canadian firms seeking expertise and investment in Boston now have an enhanced menu of services and mentors with the expansion of that city’s Canadian Technology Accelerator (CTA). The Canadian Mentoring Service (CMS) and active affiliation with the non-profit Canadian Entrepreneurs in New England (CENE) organization are the newest tools in CTA Boston’s arsenal.

ScribbleLive raises $35 million in Series ‘D' financing

GE Healthcare and BIOTIC strike collaboration

Ontario Colleges call for more applied research funding

Number 13 / Volume 29 / September 8, 2015

David Crane got it right in his Hill Times column this week when he called for a public investment strategy to build Canada’s innovative economy. The veteran economic journalist isn’t the first, nor will he be the last, to call attention to Canada’s weak competitiveness and slumping market share in key industry sectors.

Indian multinational Tech Mahindra (TM) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ryerson Univ to develop software solutions for optimizing energy generation, consumption and delivery using intelligent microgrids.

The commercialization arm of Vancouver-based Centre for Drug Research and Development (CDRD) is returning to the fold as the organization enters its second phase for derisking and commercializing promising health research discoveries.

A new early-stage fund led by OMERS Ventures is raising cautious optimism that Canada’s venture capital ecosystem is slowly moving to a new level of maturity, with increasing levels of investment in the first half of 2015 and greater participation by typically risk-averse institutional investors.

The federal government has announced the complete suite of successful research programs funded under the initial competition of the $1.5-billion Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF), with Quebec institutions taking two of the five awards.

The halcyon days of annual increases in federal support for R&D in the higher education sector have come to a halt. After a healthy jump in FY12-13, federal support declined 2.1% in FY13-14 to $3.1 billion.

Lazaridis Institute and CATA join forces

Online Grouplend raises $10.2 million

People

Michael Walkinshaw

Jennifer Daubeny

Iris Almeida-Côté

Number 12 / Volume 29 / July 29, 2015

As the Canadian economy continues to slump, the federal government appears to have turned its back on a report that urges the kind of action required to boost this country’s knowledge-based economy. Delivered to Health Canada by the Advisory Panel on Healthcare Innovation was quietly posted on the department’s website on a Friday afternoon; a corresponding press conference by the minister was cancelled.

The Univ of Toronto has received $114 million over seven years — the largest research award in its history — to undertake a massive, multifaceted research program on regenerative medicine. The award was made under the initial $350-million tranche of the $1.

Paul Dufour, fellow and adjunct professor, Univ of Ottawa

Legacy of Lamontagne and lessons for today
By Paul Dufour

The recent announcement of the Governor General’s Innovation Awards by David Johnston (Canada’s de facto science ambassador and de jure science cheerleader) has brought to mind an earlier proposal put forward by another statesman of science and public policy — Maurice Lamontagne.

Two of Canada’s largest research and technology organizations (RTOs) have joined forces in an unprecedented collaboration to assist companies in developing bio-manufacturing processes and moving niche bioproducts into the marketplace.

Genome Canada has announced the winners of its latest Large-Scale Applied Research Project (LSARP) with 11 projects receiving $93 million including $30.8 million from Genome Canada. The Genomics and Feeding the Future competition targeted projects in agriculture, agri-food, fisheries and aquaculture.

The federal government has completed the lengthy roll-out of its Canada Accelerator and Incubator Program (CAIP) with the announcement of $9.7 million over five years to Waterloo ON-based Communitech and its partners.

FedDev invests in George Brown College and Forlani

Industry Canada launches DRI strategy

CIHR funds national hepatitis research network

People

Dr Bettina Hamelin 2015

Michael Denham

Number 11 / Volume 29 / July 13, 2015

Another report, another call for Canada to create a chief scientific officer. This time the recommendation is being made by the Royal Society of Canada (RSP), an august scientific society that has recently taken on a more proactive role in its advocacy of policy (see page 6).

The Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) has expanded to the US, Brazil, Germany and Sweden as it ramps up its open source identification of 3D protein structures to assist in the discovery of new medicines.

The Royal Society of Canada (RSC) is urging the government to catch up with the rest of the world’s wealthiest nations and establish a chief scientific advisor (CSA). The recommendation is one of several contained in a position paper designed to unlock the full value of science in the Canadian economy and society.

This week marks the end of a key chapter in Canadian genomics research with the departure of Dr. Pierre Meulien. After five years as president and CEO of Genome Canada and three and a half years as chief scientific officer (CSO) of Genome British Columbia, Meulien is heading to Brussels to take the helm of the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI).

Canada’s productivity and innovation performance can be significantly improved if dramatic changes are made to the incentives and funding models for university-based researchers who work with companies to commercialize their research.

Canadian National Energy Alliance (CNEA) has been selected as the manager and operator of Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL — the massive nuclear facility in Chalk River spun off last year from Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.